Obituary: Derek Buckley, PhD, 84, Of Easton

Derek Buckley, PhD, 84, of Easton, the beloved husband and soulmate of Val Buckley for over 63 years, passed away peacefully at his home on March 26, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Derek was born in Manchester, England to the late David and Lillian Buckley. He was a graduate of the Houldsworth School of Applied Science at Leeds University and had a doctorate in physics, math and nuclear science. Derek studied the efficiency of thermoelectric generators and his research included the study of such diversified subjects as global warming, semiconductors and even included joint patents on X-ray lithography. Derek met Val in Leeds, England in 1960 and they were married in 1961.

In 1968, Derek was invited to work on a United States government project at General Dynamics in Rochester, New York and after a year and a half of service and the end of his contract, he and Val decided to make the U.S. their home. From New York they moved to Troy, Michigan, where Derek joined the famous scientist, Dr. Stanford Ovshinsky and continued as a research scientist for five years. Derek then started his 25-year career at PerkinElmer in Norwalk, where he became Vice President of Research and was awarded joint patents in X-ray lithography. It was at this same time that he and Val made Easton their home and where they raised their children. Derek’s other roles were Vice President of Penn Central Corporation, where he had the task of restructuring the business and he retired as President of Qualcorp Corporation in Danbury.

Post retirement, Derek was fascinated by government and successfully ran for office as Easton Town Clerk. He was inspired to reorganize and streamline the office and created paperwork and programs such as marriage forms, dog licenses and many other useful references for town clerks. Much of his work was recognized and used by other towns in Connecticut.

Derek was a man of ethics and incredible honesty and expected the same when he dealt with those who had business dealings with him. He had a great sense of wit and an encyclopedic memory and always had an awesome dialogue with anyone on any subject. He was a most remarkable guy and a wonderful husband who adored his children and all eight grandchildren.

He always took time off from work to watch his children's and grandchildren’s activities and sports. He loved and was an avid fan of English soccer and watched Manchester United games all his life.

Derek’s most adamant desire was to carry on his father’s wish to make sure that all his children and grandchildren would have the opportunity to attend university. His wish has become a reality as the last two grandchildren have only a few years to complete high school with plans to go to college.

Derek was an avid reader and studied the leaders of the world. His favorite readings were those of William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. He was incredibly supportive of the Easton Senior Center and spent many years taking seniors on trips through Canada, the United States and Europe.

One of his proudest achievements was that at the young age of 55, he constructed several graphs to analyze medical test results that indicated his need to seek additional care for prostate cancer well before traditional medicine would have suggested the same. He later went on to use this information to educate other men in this age group and he credited the treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering for allowing him to live and enjoy his grandchildren and family for many additional years.

In addition to his wife, Val Buckley, Derek is survived by his two children, Karen-Marie Buckley of Durham, and Paul Derek Buckley and his wife Adriana Buckley of England. He will also be missed by his eight cherished grandchildren, Connor and his new wife Christina, Brennan, Duncan, Dalton, Sophia, Tristan, Sebastian and David; and his brother David and his wife Anne of Australia and their grown children, Alison and David.

Friends are invited to greet his family on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., meeting directly at Notre Dame of Easton, 655 Morehouse Road. Interment will follow in Aspetuck Cemetery in Easton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Easton Senior Center, Inc., 650 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT 06612. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.